Johnston Snubs Smith, Endorses Pajcic

GAINESVILLE -- Defeated gubernatorial candidate Harry Johnston, the overall favorite of South Florida Democrats in the Sept. 2 primary, on Thursday threw off the cloak of neutrality.

Plunging into what promises to be the closest Democratic gubernatorial runoff in recent history, Senate President Johnston extended an exuberant last-minute endorsement to candidate Steve Pajcic, a former state House member from Jacksonville.

In so doing, Johnston snubbed his former running mate, Attorney General Jim Smith, who quit the Johnston ticket late last year and will be Pajcic`s opponent in Tuesday`s runoff.

``I`m personally endorsing Steve and wishing him well and working for him,`` said Johnston, looking relaxed and upbeat about his choice.

``When I gave my concession speech three weeks ago, I stated I hoped the people in the runoff will expand their agenda to deal with more things other than the death penalty ... and also carry on a positive campaign,`` said Johnston, who broke a vow not to endorse either man in the runoff.

``Unfortunately, I feel Mr. Smith has run only a negative campaign, has not addressed the issues, and Steve Pajcic has,`` Johnston said.

He and Pajcic barnstormed northern and central Florida on Thursday and are expected to continue their joint appearances today in South Florida. A Pajcic TV spot featuring Johnston was filmed quickly Thursday.

Depending on who was doing the analyzing, the endorsement was seen as a masterful coup de grace or a desperation tactic by Pajcic.

Smith saw it purely as Johnston`s revenge.

``I think (the endorsement) shows that obviously Sen. Johnston is bitter and vindictive. I think those are unhealthy qualities,`` said Smith. ``If this endorsement will make him feel better, I`m glad for him.``

Johnston said, ``It has nothing to do with vindictiveness.``

There were rumblings, too, that someone besides Johnston had a motive for revenge that influenced the endorsement: U.S. Rep. Buddy MacKay, a popular Central Florida congressman who almost sought the governorship this year.

Smith`s desertion of the ticket perhaps fatally stalled Johnston`s momentum, but MacKay suffered a more quiet blow at Smith`s hands. In the spring of 1985, MacKay tried to recruit Smith as a running mate, only to be told by Smith that he wasn`t interested in more politicking. Shortly afterward, Smith joined up with Johnston, and MacKay felt constrained to pass up a run for governor, according to sources close to MacKay.

Johnston said MacKay helped persuade him to back Pajcic. MacKay could not be reached for comment.

Even Pajcic supporters admit Smith has been gaining from attacks on Pajcic`s record, while Pajcic has tried to keep to the high road. Smith, in ads and massive mailouts, has focused particularly on Pajcic votes against a law putting magazines such as Playboy on racks beyond the reach of children, against a proposal to ban homosexual marriage and against some attempts to increase drug penalties. He also has accused Pajcic of sponsoring bills that would have weakened the death penalty.